I was in a customers antique shop after I rebuilt the wooden wheels from his 1918 International flat bed truck when I noticed an old spoke shave on the shelf. The shave had a curved blade and a flat blade. The only markings were “A G Bachelder 1857”. there were no blades, but the rest of the pieces seemed to be present.
Does anybody have any info of point me in a direction that might provide some insights on this shave? He wants $50.00, is it anything special?
Thanks In Advance
Dan Thomas
Replies
I've seen them new, w/o the name of course. There are about 5 variations. If you are going to play with them then you need a straight blade flat sole, straight blade curved sole, concave blade and convex blade both with straight soles. Finally a plane old draw shave. Then a compass plane will give you the ability to step out and become a wheelright, Record has a great Compass plane.
All of the spoke shaves I've seen come with a rough sole. You need to regrind them and ease the entry exits of the sole. The blades are all in need of a regrind and hone. Prices are from 10 to 20 bucks and they show up (particularily the draw shave) at rummage sales & flea markets with regularity. Most are hardly used.
The above I've bought & played with are probably offshore items. There might be some beauties by US manufacturers and no doubt they would be better quality. Frankly they are toys for me. I've made 3 canes, half a dozen walking sticks, and more than a couple of table legs have been graced by the shaves but on the whole these aren't nearly as important to a shop as is a jack or block plane.
Without the cutting blades I wouldn't bid more than 20 bucks. Those blades will cost you time to find and probably a bit of cash. If there isn't a cap iron let him keep it. You'll never find a cap iron for those at any price worth paying. If it was your dad's then ...OK it would be worth it, w/o sentimental attachment it is just another tool in my book.
I don't have any information that would help, but over on the Neanderthal side of Badger Pond there might be someone who would know.
Tom
The Bachelder shaves are relatively common, and not especially notable for fine construction. Without the blades it's a relic @$5. Old or new Stanley or Record or Preston would serve you better, and I'd suggest you buy straight ones, perhaps one with an adjustable throat and then find a Millers Falls No.1 circular model for the really tight curves. But to each is own. I'd stay away from old wooden shaves, as the throats are usually worn much too wide and are difficult to restore/patch, although boxwood shaves are a thing of beauty!
John in middle Tennessee
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